HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-04-10 Board of Selectmen Minutes Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting
April 10, 1990
The meeting convened at 7 : 35 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting
Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were _ !
Chairman Russell Graham, Vice Chairman Daniel Ensminger,
Secretary George Hines, and Selectmen Sally Hoyt and Eugene
Nigro. Also present were Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager,
Public Works Director Anthony V. Fletcher, Human Services Direc-
tor Ruth Cogan, and the following list of citizens: Sally Sabo,
Dan Bolnick, Herb Converse, Trish Brigham, Jack Rivers, Ken King,
Bo Garrison, Gina Snyder, Fred Van Magness, Barbara McAllister,
Anne Mark, Barbara L. Hagan, Gail Wood, G. L. MacDonald, Liz
Greene, Nate White, Bill Burditt, and Don Allen.
On motion by Ensminger, seconded by Nigro, the minutes of March
27, 1990 were approved as corrected by a vote of 5-0-0.
Under Liaison Reports, Dan Ensminger indicated that he had at-
tended the FinCom Meeting regarding Community Development issues.
He also asked about the letter from Lois Bell regarding train
noises. George Hines indicated that he had talked with Railroad
Operations, and they have a direction to idle down at all loca-
tions where they are laying over for twenty minutes or more.
Russ Graham indicated that he had attended the Trust Fund Commis-
sioners Meeting, and that the transportation and nursing care
provided does not have many takers. They are looking into a pos-
sible change in policies and increase in flexibility. He also
indicated that he had attended a Solid Waste Committee Meeting;
met with the Town Manager regarding Town Meeting; and attended a --
Depot Task Force Meeting earlier this evening.
There was no Public Comment, and there are no Personnel Appoint-
ments.
Anthony V. Fletcher, Public Works Director, reviewed the situa-
tion with RESCO and the trash collection bid. Excluded from trash
collection will be leaves, grass, tires and white goods. We are
going to court with RESCO, but it will take some time in order to
resolve all of the issues. There is also something called the
Angelo Tax which we are asking the State Representatives to re-
scind. This is a tax on all materials sent to RESCO.
Sally Sabo presented the proposal for recycling. The indications
were that recycling as an option does not pay for itself the
first year, but in the second and third years , may be self-
supporting, depending on the percentage of support we get for
recycling. George Hines asked that we explore the option of
requiring people to take their recyclable materials to a central
site, rather than curbside recycling. The Solid Waste Policy
Committee will review this and get back to the Board of Selectmen
before their meeting on April 24, 1990. Rob Spadafora spoke in --
support of the project and offered Student Council help. Ken
Little from the Taxpayers Alliance indicated that the Alliance
objected to two terms -- mandated, and enforcement regulations.
The Board agreed that it would make a decision on curbside recy-
cling at their meeting on April 24th.
Selectmen's Minutes - 4/10/90 - Page 2
The notice of the public hearing on the Sick Leave Bank was read
by Secretary George Hines. The Town Manager presented the con-
cept of the change in the Sick Bank, which would consolidate the
Union Sick Banks with the Non-Union Sick Banks. There have been
no objections received from any employees or employees groups.
Miriam Smith, Barbara Hagan, Fred Van Magness, Ken Little, Mrs.
Herrick and Mr. DeLong asked questions regarding the Sick Bank.
On motion by Ensminger, seconded by Hoyt, the Public Hearing was
closed by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Ensminger, seconded by
Hoyt, the Board voted to adopt the amended Sick Leave Bank Policy
as part of the Personnel Policies by a vote of 5-0-0.
Gail Wood presented the proposed water and sewer rates. On mo-
tion by Ensminger, seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to set a
water rate of $2.56 per 100 cubic feet, with a minimum of $12 .50
per billing rate, effective with the bill rendered 8-1-90, by a
vote of 5-0-0.
On motion by Ensminger, seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to set
a sewer rate of $2.96 per 100 cubic feet of water use, with a
minimum bill of $14.80 per billing period, effective with the
bill of 8-1-90, by a vote of 5-0-0. The Board briefly discussed
the possibility of connecting property in North Reading to the
Town's sewer lines and had some concerns. This will be discussed
when more information is available.
Ken Little and Richard DeLong presented some concerns of the
Reading Taxpayers Alliance. They reviewed the ten point program
of policy changes, focusing on policies six, seven, one and ten.
With regard to issues on the School budgeting process, or School
budget, the Board of Selectmen indicated that they should go to
the School Committee. Among the issues reviewed in some detail
were the cost of trash collection, and the use of water and sewer
surplus. The Taxpayers Alliance indicated that they felt perhaps
these are not areas where savings can be made.
Mrs. Hagan appeared before the Board regarding the possibility of
abatement of water and sewer bills related to her husband's life
support system of dialysis. The Board directed the Town Manager
to develop a policy that would deal with these issues.
The Depot Task Force reviewed a proposed agreement with the MBIA
which would have the MBTA pave and improve the parking lot lo-
cated along Lincoln Street between the Depot and Woburn Street,
and have that area designated as a Commuter Parking Lot, with the
area to the south of the Depot area being designated the Resident
Only Lot. The Depot Task Force had made earlier this evening and
recommended it. There is little net change in the number of
parking spaces. George Hines abstained from discussion on this
issue because of a potential conflict. On motion by Nigro ,
seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to approve the change in
} the parking regulations as noted and shown on the plan of June
21, 1988 by a vote of 4-0-1, with Hines abstaining.
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Selectmen's Minutes - 4/10/90 - Page 3
The Board felt uncomfortable with Article 21 on the Annual Town
Meeting Warrant, and agreed to indefinitely postpone it until
full discussions could be had with the Chamber of Commerce. -
The Board asked Chief Marchand to be present at their meeting on
April 24th to discuss the issue of the Parking Enforcement Of-
ficer, and the use of Reserves. With regard to the Annual Town
Meeting Warrant, Nigro will move to indefinitely postpone Article
21, and Hoyt will move to indefinitely postpone Article 26.
On motion by Nigro, seconded by Hines, the Board voted to set the
rents for the Pearl Street School at $5.90 per square foot for
one year, beginning July 1, 1990.
On the Special Town Meeting Warrant, Article 5 will be presented
by Russ Graham and Article 10 will be presented by Dan Ensminger.
All remaining items on the agenda will be discussed at the next
meeting.
On motion by Ensminger, seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to ad-
journ at 12: 10 a.m. , by a vote of 5-0-0.
Respectfully su mitted,
Secretary
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